The outworkers.
40 Years.
I think you are right on the reasons but perhaps a little harsh on the percentages. There were some very good and highly capable people in that group who, through circumstances often beyond their control, may have otherwise been forced out of a job but were looked after by the management and they continued to make a significant contribution to the organisation. In more recent years that sort of charity on the part of management disappeared and the staff ceased to be people and became just numbers which had to be reduced.
I shake my head when I read some of the postings on the recent happenings in AsA. It's a bit sad really. There was a time it was a great place to work. When I talk to former colleagues they all refer to working in ATC in the 70's as 'fun'. The fun seems to have gone out of it.